The Kerala government on Wednesday ordered a detailed probe into the cause of a deadly mudslide in Wayanad district that killed at least three people and left five others missing. Chief Minister VD Satheesan announced the investigation after a cabinet meeting and also directed authorities to temporarily halt construction work on the Wayanad twin tunnel project until the findings of the inquiry are submitted. Satheesan visited the affected area in Kalladi along with Kalpetta MLA and Agriculture Minister T Siddique and Revenue Minister A Anil Kumar.
Reviewing the ongoing rescue operations, the chief minister said five people were still missing and that search efforts remained extremely challenging due to continuous rainfall and dangerous conditions at the site. He said rescue teams would begin searches in a new zone of the affected area during the night and would also look along the Meenakshi river and nearby riverbanks for victims who may have been swept away by the force of the mudslide.
The state government also announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹5 lakh for the families of each person who died in the disaster. Satheesan visited relief camps set up for those affected and met the 10 survivors who were undergoing treatment in hospitals. Authorities have been working to provide medical assistance, shelter and other support to families displaced by the incident. According to preliminary information, the mudslide occurred early on Tuesday after construction debris accumulated during excavation work for the twin tunnel project near the Meppadi side became unstable due to heavy rainfall.
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The debris reportedly moved downhill, destroying several temporary shelters occupied by construction workers, along with a nearby house and a church. The incident raised concerns about safety measures at construction sites located in environmentally sensitive and landslide-prone regions. The decision to launch a probe was taken during the state cabinet meeting held earlier on Wednesday. The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances leading to the accumulation of debris, the impact of rainfall, safety protocols followed at the construction site and whether any lapses contributed to the disaster.
The temporary suspension of tunnel work will remain in place until the government reviews the findings and determines the next course of action. Wayanad, located in Kerala’s Western Ghats region, is known for its hilly terrain and remains vulnerable to landslides, particularly during periods of intense monsoon rainfall. The district has witnessed several weather-related disasters in recent years, prompting repeated discussions on ecological safety, construction practices and disaster preparedness in vulnerable areas.
Rescue teams, including local authorities and emergency personnel, continue to search for the missing individuals despite difficult weather conditions. Officials said operations would continue in affected areas and nearby water bodies until all possible locations are thoroughly examined. The state government has assured that the probe will help determine the exact causes of the mudslide and guide future safety measures for infrastructure projects in high-risk regions.
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